XVIII THE TRUTH BY PERSUASION
Just then Porshinger drove up in his car. The hour was early and the east piazza was as yet occupied only by Mrs. Lorraine, Miss Chamberlain and Pendleton. He sighted them at once—stood a moment as though undecided, then came slowly toward them.
"Can it be possible he will dare to join us!" Gladys exclaimed.
"Anything is possible with him," Stephanie answered contemptuously—and turned her back.
"Surely he won't have the effrontery!" Gladys insisted and looked away.
"I can't think that even he is cad enough for that," Pendleton remarked, busying himself with his cigarette.
That no one glanced up at Porshinger's approach did not faze him an instant. It was one of the secrets of his success in life that, having come to a decision, he always saw it through. He knew his own mind—which is more than the average man does.
"How-de-do, everybody!" he greeted. "May I sit down?" suiting the action to the word. "Miss Chamberlain, I salute you! also Mrs. Lorraine—and Mr. Pendleton. Bully day for golf—what do you say to a foursome?"
Stephanie arose, looked straight at Porshinger with a deliberately ignoring stare, and turned to Miss Chamberlain.